Issue with Parking Brake

My driveway is on a steep incline, so I make it a habit of putting the transmission in neutral while applying the brakes, engaging the parking brake, removing my foot from the brake pedal, and then shifting to park. That way, the load is on the parking brake, not the transmission.

About 2 weeks ago, I disengaged the parking brake and went to back out of my driveway and the truck was stuck. I had to fiddle with the brakes and parking brake, and lightly lurch forward and backward before the parking brake would finally let go. This eventually migrated into a situation where I'd get it released, back out, put the truck in drive, try to accelerate, and it would stop to a halt. Again I had to go through the "release process" to get them to disengage. I had the feeling it was still dragging somewhat, so I scheduled an early 10K service since my ToyotaCare maintenance expires in May.

I took it in yesterday, and they inspected the rear brakes. The tech said the parking brake was adjusted too tight, because it was engaging on the second click of the handle, so they evidently put a bit more slack in the cable. I went through my parking routine last night, and this morning they released normally, but when I went to drive away, the truck came to a halt again.

Anyone else have this issue? If so, how was it rectified? I have a strange feeling that I'm going to get stranded somewhere with locked up rear wheels, or the brake will apply while I'm driving and get me rear-ended.

 

Subscribed in hopes of a debate over strength of the parking maul

 

It seems pretty common to these trucks, it's essentially the liners/pads sticking to the drums as they rust. The best way to prevent, is to drive and heat them, after off-road, car wash, etc.

 

Can you leave a wheel chock on your driveway? You could then back on to the chock and leave the parking brake off while putting the shifter in Park.

https://www.myteeproducts.com/polyurethane-rubber-wheel-chock-w-mounting-holes.html

 

Guess I could, but what a pain in the derriere. I would hope for a properly working parking brake.

 

I'm having a tough time envisioning how pads could stick to the drums, rust or not. Sound to me like they're not retracting properly when the parking brake is released. Is there something to lubricate perhaps?

 

Was wondering about the steps involved as I recently saw a video basically advising your method was the 'correct' way to use the parking brake
except for the following.... you remove your foot from the brake pedal while the emerg-brake is doing all the work and then slip it into park. The
video I saw shifted into park while the foot was on the brake as well.

So..... when stopped:
1. Slip into N
2. Apply emerg brake
3. Shift into park
4. Then take foot of brake pedal

Not sure if this would make any difference at all but it's something to try.

According to the video it relieves stress on the transmission - not sure if I buy that tale or not.

 

I'll give that a try to see if it works. I've been using my procedure since I bought the truck in '23, and this just started happening out of nowhere a couple of weeks ago.

 

Did the tech at Toyota pull rear brake drums? You drive through water? The combination of brake dust, and water can cause rear brakes to lock up. Take it back to the same Toyota dealer, and tell rear patking brakes still locking up.

 

I assume they did...No water other than rain. They have to replace my driver side mirror, so I'll have them checked again when I bring it back in for that.